Saturday, August 27, 2011

Falling to Pieces - Vannetta Chapman

Falling to Pieces by Vanetta Chapman
Publisher: Zondervan (September 27, 2011)
Pages:  366
Source:  Netgalley
Genre:  Amish Mystery/Suspense

From Goodreads:
In this first book of a three-book series, author Vannetta Chapman brings a fresh twist to the popular Amish fiction genre. She blends the familiar components consumers love in Amish books---faith, community, simplicity, family---with an innovative who-done-it plot that keeps readers guessing right up to the last stitch in the quilt. When two women---one Amish, one English---each with different motives, join forces to organize a successful on-line quilt auction, neither expects nor wants a friendship. As different as night and day, Deborah and Callie are uneasy partners who simply want to make the best of a temporary situation. But a murder, a surprising prime suspect, a stubborn detective, and the town's reaction throw the two women together, and they form an unlikely alliance to solve a mystery and catch a killer. Set in the well-known Amish community of Shipshewana, Falling to Pieces will attract both devoted fans of the rapidly-growing Amish fiction genre, as well as those who are captivated by the Amish way of life.

My Thoughts:
Combine my love of all things Amish, quilting and fabric,  add in  a great mystery, and that is what you have in this book.  Vannetta Chapman has written a story that makes the reader feel like they are in Shipshewana, Indiana.  She has crafted very believable characters and placed them in an unlikely scenario.

Deborah  Yoder is a local Amish woman who sold her quilts through the local quilt shop.  When Daisy, the quilt shop owner dies her niece, Callie Harper inherits the quilt shop and Daisy’s Labrador, Max.  She comes to Shipshewana with the intention of selling the shop and moving on.  It is as if she is always trying to run away from her pain.  The year before, she lost her husband to cancer, and now an aunt she had not seen in several years is dead.  When Deborah brings some quilts into the shop in the hope that Callie will re-open she is disappointed to hear Callie say she plans to be there only long enough to sell the place.  Deborah leaves the quilts with Callie while she shops hoping Callie will begin to view their beauty and change her mind.  It works.  This is an unlikely partnership between an Amish woman and an English woman.

After a heated argument with the local newspaper editor over an unfavorable review of her shop, the editor is found murdered.  Of course Callie becomes the prime suspect.  Then there are several break-in around the area.  Callie and Deborah decide they can figure out who is behind the crimes.  This almost costs them their lives as they walk in on someone in the quilt shop.  They are saved by Max.  This makes them all the more determined to solve this crime.

This is not your typical Amish romance.  I think I liked that better.  I love mysteries.    The story lines demonstrate the importance of friendship and how true friendship can have a healing effect.  I am definitely looking forward to reading the next book in this series.  Since this was read as an e-book I must buy the physical copy when it comes out.  My mother won’t read e-books because she likes to pass them around  to those in her Sunday School class and she can’t wait to get her hands on this one.  I know anyone who loves quilting, the Amish or just a good mystery will love this book.  This is an author we need to watch out for.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received an e-book copy from Netgalley for review.   I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

3 comments:

  1. Thanks for the review, Sandra. I loved writing Falling to Pieces. Sounds like you enjoyed it. so I think you'll love A Perfect Square (March 2012). It continues with the same characters, but I manage to get Callie and Deborah in a-- (oops. better not tell.)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Is Falling to peices out in stores , bookstores or on line. Is it an e book or old fashioned paper book. I want to get it just not sure where to get it. ?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Vanetta, I did love it. I know my mother and her friends will and that is why I will get it in print as so as it is available.

    Cindy it will be available on September 27th though Amazon. You can preorder it now.

    ReplyDelete